Kymes, EUP wrestlers headed to The Palace

SAULT STE. MARIE — Steven Kymes is getting ready to make his first trip to wrestle in the state finals.

The Sault High junior is one of six Eastern U.P. wrestlers headed to the state individual finals Thursday through Saturday at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Kymes is wrestling in the 140-pound weight class in Division 2. Other EUP wrestlers competing in the state finals include Richard Bentley (130 pounds), Galloway Thurston (171) and Joe Ostman (215) of St. Ignace, and Jimmy Spencer (112) and Shane Aney (160) of Rudyard — who are all in Division 4.

"This was my biggest goal and what I've worked for all year," Kymes said. "I want to at least make it to the second round and place in the top six."

Kymes is 45-2 this season and 112-14 for his career. His titles this year have included districts, Upper Peninsula Finals, Northern Michigan Championships and Straits Area Conference.

Kymes has sought out the best competition he can find in his training, which has included a wide range of team and individual events and practices, as well as attending several camps and clinics around the state the last several years.

"He puts more hours in than anybody on our team," Sault High coach Del Craven said. "He's wrestled ranked kids in probably every division. He has taken his wrestling to another level this year. His hard work has really paid off."

Making his training even more well-rounded, Kymes often works out with mixed martial arts competitors Brent and Mitch Fryia, who are instructors at Steel City MMA in Sault, Ont. Learning freestyle wrestling technique has translated well into the folkstyle of high school competition.

"They (Friah's) have been more than helpful," Kymes said. "I've learned a lot. The freestyle wrestling has really helped me."

Kymes had to survive a couple close calls in the regionals at Bay City Western, where only the top three finishers in each class advance to states. He was upset 7-6 by Jesse Torres of Holly in the first match and facing elimination after trailing late in his second match against Mickey Gosselin of Bay City Western.

"It was win or go home for him in the second match," Sault High coach Del Craven said. "He came through with all heart, and got an escape with about 10 seconds left to take the lead. Then he was able to fend off the guy's last attack to get the victory (5-4).

"He still had to win two more after that," Craven said. "But he seemed to wrestle better as the day went on, and he seemed confident he could at least get third from there."

Kymes advanced with a 8-4 win over Ortonville-Brandon's Trevor Bourdeau, and a 4-1 win over Kyle Reamer of Greenville in the third-place match.

"A lot of the coaches felt our region was one of the toughest in the state," Craven said. "We've hopeful that proves to give Steven an edge."

Kymes, now the No. 8 seed in his weight class at the state tournament, starts against No. 5 seed Jake Klingaman of Jackson Northwest (43-6), in a Division 2.

Kymes said he does not do much advance scouting of his opponents, but does try to watch some of the matches in his weight class to pick out any potential weaknesses.

"I really don't pay too close of attention to who I have next," Kymes said. "I always try to wrestle like I'm losing by one point."